Would you choose an island with no seating or eat-at peninsula?

5 years ago

We are working through our "wants" in our kitchen remodel/design. We will expand into the den, giving our new kitchen a large eat-in area, which we will use for our family of 4 and occasional larger gatherings (8-10 people). The kitchen will be 10.5' x 28'.
We could squeeze in a narrow island (24x60) if our cabinets are configured in a L and we have no cabinets on one kitchen wall, (The doors to the basement and front hall are on that wall anyway, so we wouldn't be sacrificing much counter space.) However, there is no way we can have any seating at the island. The island would serve as a work space and a buffet for the large gatherings.
Our other option is a peninsula, where we could have seating for 3. We could also put a shallow pantry cabinet on the wall with the basement door if we go with a peninsula.
I know the kids would use the peninsula more on a daily basis, but I'm worried it will make the dining area tight for the large gatherings, especially when we have 10 around the table for Thanksgiving.

Featured Answer

Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real

5 years ago

It depends on what you want to plan your kitchen around. I thought I would love having an island with seating. It turns out I don't. I find sitting side by side like at a diner unappealing- I didn't think I would object to that- I have seen the criticism here in the past and thought- hmm- I like eating at our neighborhood diner and sitting at the counter with my kiddos, but turns out not at home- it feel very odd to me. I would prioritize a useful working island and a dining table over any counter seating.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

Jennifer K
5 years ago
I like cooking without tripping over people and eating without being spattered by whatever's on the stove. But I also like cooking with company or keeping the cook company. And I loathe any kind of seating where my feet don't reach the floor. All that combines to a preference for a kitchen that is next to and open to an informal dining room.

I would rather have storage or work area than seating in my kitchen-- especially if a comfy table and chairs is right next to it.
Related Discussions
Which island countertop would you choose? (lots of pictures)
Q
Comments (32)
I am so grateful to all of you for trying to help me with this decision. Kmcg - your have it right -- I like the butcherblock but I am not sure how it will look. Those are beautiful kitchens you posted - in my next life I will have all white cabinets and butcherblock - no cherry island! Likkiirish - I have spent so many hours looking at the finished kitchen blog that that I think I could be certified crazy! In all my searching there and elsewhere on the internet I have found only one photo close what I am thinking about - which is below. It is not my favorite photo and, even in this photo, the island is black, not cherry, which would visually connect with the black countertops. I am thinking that I probably need to let go of the butcherblock idea and go with the black tops everywhere. I feel pretty certain now that that the black top on the island will look good. Here is a link that might be useful:
...See More
Eat-in kitchen: do you eat at an island? Do you like it?
Q
Comments (41)
Before we remodel we struggled w/ this issue. In the end we made a bigger investment so that we could eat at a table & have an island. I am very glad we did. I almost always choose to have our family dinner at the table-- it seems so much more civilized and relaxed and an improtant time for our family of four to be/dine together -- which is only 3-4 times a week. When we sit at the table there have been so many improtant discussions that take place. They are critcal teaching moments for our teenage children. Also I am a stickler for table manners & it is hard to do that the island. Lunch & Breakfast happens at the island. FYI- We increased the kitchen floor plan byremoving diningroom wall & absorbing that space into our kichen plan. The dining room furniture then moved to share space with our oversized living room. Two years later- I am sooo happy we did this.
...See More
island /peninsula with storage both sides and drawers on seating side
Q
Comments (5)
Thank you all for commenting. I believe the potential counter width would be 56".. increased from the current 40" not 42" like I stated originally. I have plenty of room for passage behind chairs . We currently have 14" of leg room and would have enough leg room for 10" of overhang so that is not an issue. Instead of drawers I think it would be wise to have cubbies for short decorative baskets instead of drawers that would serve the needs of storing thin charging cables for my fitbit, garmin, power meter etc. Another cubby would be for pencils and note paper. All items easily accessed from the area we need them. Below short cubbies would be cabinets with narrow storage. We will be losing some uppers and replacing with rustic thick shelves on peninsula wall. My husband is wanting his cables at his fingertips when working on the computer for downloading garmin and power meter info. That is his only demand in my new kitchen. He sits next to the wall at the beginning of the peninsula every morning and after his long bike rides. So there is no changing his working station. Plus that is where he view the kitchen tv from. His so called "favorite seat in the house". Would I truly need two slabs for 56" wide peninsula? Budget is not a concern at this point. Just want convenient space. I drew this up quick ...peninsula on right is area visiting about. From end to end of counters is 19' 8" Current kitchen... Cabinets also on opposite wall.
...See More
Islands, Peninsulas, and Eat-Ins OH MY!
Q
Comments (6)
Are you redoing the entire Kitchen or are you just considering adding on a peninsula to the existing cabinetry? The answer to that will make a big difference. If redoing, do you have a layout we can look at? One with all the measurements labeled? See the "Featured Answer" in the "New to Kitchens? Read Me First!" thread. No - as others have said, you do not have room for an island unless you eliminate one side of the Kitchen cabinets/counters. Then, you might be able to fit an island. Assuming the full width of the Kitchen is around 11'3" (7'3"W aisle + 2'D cabinets on one side + 2'D cabinets on the other side) = 135" 25.5" for perimeter counter on one side + 43"W aisle + 30"D island (no seating) + 36.5"W aisle behind the aisle ============ 135" However, the wall with the coffeemaker & picture may get in the way as I assume it sticks out farther than the wall the cabinets are on (12" more?)...I'd have to see a fully-measured layout to see what would/would not fit. To give you useful advice, we need more information. Could you also post sketch of the entire floor so we can see how traffic flows in, around, and through the Kitchen and dining areas?
...See More
dan1888
5 years ago
Draw a layout with measurements so we can come up with different ideas. Make it to scale.
loonlakelaborcamp
5 years ago
Yes, I can't stand people staring at me while I'm doing cook/prep. If you've got time to tap, you have time to clean up after me!
chocolatebunny123
5 years ago
I can't put my finger on exactly why, but I really don't like peninsulas. I have an island right now with no seating and it's fine. I have a kitchen table that sits 6 right next to my kitchen area so if people want to sit while watching me cook, it's easy for them to be comfy at the table. So island all the way.
PRO
Anglophilia
5 years ago
I'm in the no-eating-at-an-island camp. I have a small island cart in my kitchen (11x15). It's a kitchen that is too wide to be a galley kitchen and too narrow to have a true island...and that's fine with me. If it were wide enough for an island, I'd have a big old farmhouse table and chairs in it. As I get older, I often need to sit while doing prep work and sitting and working at a table are far easier. I have a stool that goes with my island cart and can sit down there, but it's hard to sift flour etc while reaching up high.

I like to see who might be joining me in a meal, ie looking across a table, not diner-style.

Would you choose an island with no seating or eat-at peninsula?

Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real

Comments (6)

Jennifer K

Related Discussions

dan1888

loonlakelaborcamp

chocolatebunny123

Anglophilia

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US